COOL-HEADED Richard Harrop was praised by fire crews after he lead customers to safety when a blaze broke out at an ancient country inn.

Richard was on lunchtime duty at the family-run The Old Original, Scouthead, when an electrical fault in an outhouse triggered a fire at around 1.30pm, on Tuesday.

Acrid black smoke billowed over surrounding countryside but the 35-year-old father of three calmly led more than 20 diners to a safe point outside the pub.

Two fire appliances from Oldham and one from Mossley raced to the scene to contain the fire - which destroyed the outbuilding - and battled to prevent it spreading to a neighbouring house and the pub.

After they had doused the flames firefighters praised Richard for his speedy response.

Said Richard: “We were having a busy lunchtime when suddenly flames came from an outhouse next to the pub and there was a loud bang.

“My priority was customers safety and I was helped by our chef, Sarah Scholes, who did a brilliant job.

“The fire fighters were very quickly on the scene and I’m delighted to say everyone was safe.

“We just worked as a team and our neighbours mucked in too helping to clear up after the blaze.”

Landlord Tom said: “We are very proud of Richard and the staff. The fire marshall said he did a great job.”

Oldham Fire Station crew manager, John McIlquham, said they believe the blaze was caused by a washing machine, adding: "Luckily we managed to stop the fire spreading to the house and pub but potentially it could have been much worse.

"The house suffered a small amount of heat damage to the wall but nothing serious and the pub had self evacuated its customers before our arrival."

The Old Original is expected to remain closed for couple of days but be open at the weekend for business as usual. Christmas bookings will not be affected.